Eastern Divide Trail (S8): Cypress

Whereabouts describes a list of places and things that are a part of this route as a means to understanding its history. With research and writing by Tsinnijinnie Russell (@tsinbean).

pin Mile 65

Bradwell Bay Wilderness

This wilderness area is a swamp thick with titi trees, which are identifiable by their leathery leaves and fragrant white flowers. It was established in 1975 by the Eastern Wilderness Act and contains a section of the Florida Trail notorious for being underwater. This is the second largest wilderness in Florida. The area is a swampland of hardwoods and small ponds that are either open or covered with aquatic plants. The area is in a subtropical climate and averages 55 inches of rain per year. White-tailed deer, black bears, and alligators are atop the food chain in the area. Low areas of the park are often submerged in up to 1 to 4 inches of standing water. 

pin Mile 106

St. Marks Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1931 to provide winter habitat for migratory birds, this area encompasses 83,000 acres in three counties and includes 43 miles of North Florida’s Gulf Coast. This area was the first land set aside under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. By 1960, the protected area was 67,000 acres, and in recent years, more land has been acquired through timer-for-land exchanges. These timber trade programs were slated for removal in forest prescriptions to improve wildlife habitat. Rather than selling the timber directly, the refuge traded it for land within the refuge acquisition boundary or adjacent to the refuge. The refuge is home to a wide variety of species including bald eagles, Monarch butterflies, the Florida black bear, osprey, and alligators, as well as wildflowers, waterfowl, and white-tailed deer.

pin Mile —

Blackwater Rivers

This is a type of river with a slow-moving channel that flows through forested swamps or wetlands. Tannins leach into the water as vegetation decays, creating a transparent, acidic water that is darkly stained and resembles black tea. Most major blackwater rivers are in the Amazon Basin and the Southern United States. These differ from other dark-water rivers because rivers in temperate regions often darken because of the color of their soil or by draining through areas of dark black loam, making them black mud rivers rather than blackwater rivers. Blackwater rivers are lower in nutrients and have higher ionic concentrations than rainwater. The unique conditions lead to unique flora and fauna.

pin Mile 208

Suwannee River

The etymology of the river’s name is unclear. The Shawanwaki (Shawnee) and Mvskoke (Sawanoke) who have historically lived in the area may be connected to the name of the river, with the word Suwannee being a mispronunciation or bad translation of either tribe. Albert S. Gatschet claims that the word Suwannee derives from a Creek word sawani meaning “echo” and others claim sawani means “muddy rivers.” Others suggest that the word Suwannee developed through “San Juan-ee,” referring to the Spanish mission of San Juan de Guacara located on the river.

The Suwannee River area has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years. The Weedon Island culture inhabited the area in the first millennium and the Suwannee River Valley culture began to form around 900. By the time the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century, the river was inhabited by two bands of Timucua-speaking peoples, the Yustaga and the Northern Utina. The river itself is a wild 246-mile blackwater. Its headwaters are in the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia, and the river runs southwestward into the Florida Panhandle and drops elevation through limestone layers into a rare Florida whitewater rapid near White Springs, Florida. The river runs through Florida and eventually drains into the Gulf of Mexico near Suwannee, Florida. The song “Old Folks at Home” by Stephen Foster popularized the name of the Suwannee River, and the song was made Florida’s state song. 

pin Mile 239

Suwannee Springs

This site is home to six natural sulfur springs, five of which flow directly into the south side of the Suwannee River. The main spring flows inside a manmade wall and flows from Oligocene-age limestone, and it discharges hard sulfuric water. The water maintains a year-round temperature of 70 to 76 degrees. 

pin Mile 273

Osceola National Forest

This National Forest was established in 1931 with the aim of protecting 229,185 acres of wetlands and pine flatwoods. The park is named after Osceola, a Seminole warrior who led a group of warriors in resistance during the Second Seminole War. He was captured in 1837 after being deceived by a flag of truce when he entered Fort Peyton for peace talks. General Jesup used the truce flag in an act of treachery to capture Osceola. He was imprisoned at Fort Marion in St. Augustine and then transported to Fort Moultrie in Charleston, South Carolina, where he died of either internal infection or malaria. 

The Forest itself is 200,000 acres of pine flatwoods and cypress-hardwood swamps. The park has one officially designated wilderness area, the Big Gum Swamp Wilderness, which has an area of 13,660 acres. The park provides a habitat for alligators, red-cockaded woodpeckers, Florida black bears, eastern indigo snakes, gopher tortoises, pileated woodpeckers, bobcats, fox squirrels, and many songbird species.

pin Mile —

Seminole Tribe of Florida

The Seminole towns in Florida moved about so frequently and altered their names so often that it’s next to impossible to follow their history in any connected manner. This means that many of the town names that existed in Florida also exist now in the present-day territory of the Seminole people in Oklahoma. The Seminole gathered from across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama because those borders did not define how the Seminole moved through their ancestral homelands. The Seminole were—like all tribes in the Southern U.S.—greatly impacted by Andrew Jackson signing the Indian Removal Act. The Seminole never signed a peace treaty and remained in Florida despite the Indian Removal Act moving many Indigenous people west. The Seminole were referred to by the Spanish as cimarrónes, the Spanish word for “runaways” or “wild ones.” Some Seminole saw the name as an insult, others as a badge of honor. 

The Seminole fought for their home and cite Abiaka, Coacoochee, Micanopy, Osceola, Holatta Micco, and other great warriors as heroes who fought for their families and their way of life. 

The Seminole Tribe of Florida followed Abiaka, known to Americans as Sam Jones, into the Florida swamps to remain free and unconquered. Their ways and traditions remained intact and as more people moved into Florida. 

Today, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has grown from the 200 followers of Abiaki to more than 5,000 tribal members. They continue to fight in courtrooms to maintain the sovereignty of their schools, police, and courts. They still continue traditions of sewing, patchwork, chickee building, and alligator wrestling. They have also adapted to have one of the largest cattle operations in the U.S., and the tribe also owns Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos. They proudly maintain their ways, culture, and lives to remain the Unconquered Seminole Tribe of Florida.

pin Mile 352

San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

The park is named for the Spanish Mission San Francisco de Potano, which was the primary town of the Potano-Timucua at the time of first contact. Limestone outcrops in the park provide extreme elevation changes that make it an ideal habitat for hardwood trees, as well as bobcats, white-tailed deer, gray foxes, feral pigs, turkeys, and songbirds. This is one of the few mature forests that remain in Florida and is a prime example of climax mesic hammocks. Indigenous people have inhabited the area since at least 8,000 BCE. There are 56 archaeological sites within the park that represent eras potentially as far back as 12,000 years ago up to the 20th century. The Potano were the Indigenous population living in the area during Spanish colonization in the 16th century. San Felasco is a mispronunciation of “San Francisco.” 

pin Mile 398

Gainesville

The Potano people were living in the Gainesville region at the time of European colonization. The de Soto expedition made the first mention of contacting the Potano in 1539. The tribe was politically, culturally, and linguistically tied to the Timucua. The Alachua tradition, evidence of which has been identified in the Gainesville area, is a precursor to the Potano people. The Potano were the main population of North Florida prior to colonization. The Potano and Timucua people were destroyed by European diseases and raids. Disease and suppression drastically reduced the Indigenous populations in the area. French and Spanish settlers supported wars on the Potano in the 16th century. Missionaries were sent, and missions were set up in the areas to baptize and assimilate the Indigenous people of the area.

pin Mile 413

Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area

Lochloosa Lake is within this wildlife conservation area. The area also provides a habitat for large populations of bald eagles, osprey, and wading birds. There are 18 listed species in the area, including Florida black bears, fox squirrels, eastern indigo snakes, wood storks, and sandhill cranes. The area is an environmentally sensitive watershed, and the preservation of the shoreline helps maintain hydrologic connections with the Orange Creek Basin. Lochloosa Lake is a 6,000-acre lake that can be up to 10 feet deep. The area surrounding the lake is 84% forests, wetlands, and other water bodies.

pin Mile 458-522

Ocala National Forest

The Ocala is the second-largest nationally protected forest in Florida, covering 607 square miles. Established in 1908, it is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River and the southernmost national forest in the continental U.S. The word Ocala is a derivative of a Timucuan term meaning “fair land” or “big hammock.” The forest contains several slow-moving rivers and wetlands. Blackwater rivers can be found inside the area and support the southern coastal plain blackwater river floodplain forests of bald cypress. 

The southern coastal plain blackwater river floodplain forest is a forest system found in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia that occurs in the drainages of blackwater rivers and streams. The forests’ spring-fed rivers support hydric hammocks, evergreen, and hardwood tree hammocks. The prairies within the park are Floridian highlands freshwater marshes, and the southern coastal plain non-riverine basin swamps are large, seasonally flooded depressions and swamp tupelo. The Piencastle Bombing Range in Ocala National Forest is the only place on the East Coast where the US Navy performs live impact training, dropping 20,000 bombs a year at the site, hundreds of which are live. 

pin Mile 600

St. Johns River / Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area

The River had long been a fishing, hunting, and farming source for the Timucua, who occupied the region. In 1837, during the Second Seminole War, a Cherokee delegation met with Seminole leaders to persuade them to surrender. The Seminole name for the meeting place along the west bank of the St. Johns River was Totalousy Hatchy, a corruption of Tootoosahatchee. The wildlife management area along the river is 1,000 acres of old-growth floodplain swamp, with 20-40 acres of old-growth mesic flatwoods and an unknown amount of old-growth hydric hammock. 

The St. Johns River is Florida’s longest river at 310 miles. The river flows north and drops less than 30 feet in elevation from headwaters to mouth. This results in a 0.3 mph flow rate. The widest point of the river is nearly three miles across, and its narrowest point at its headwaters is an unnavigable marsh. The river is one of 14 American Heritage Rivers and has been heavily polluted and redirected, heavily damaging its ecosystem. Seminole people called the river Welaka or Ylacco, which may derive from the Creek word wilako, meaning “big water.” It may also derive from the Seminole word walaka, from wi-alaka, “water” and “coming.” The American Rivers group listed the river as the sixth most endangered American river due to the number of proposals for large freshwater withdrawals for human use, the large amount of pollutants in the river, and the huge number of wetlands that were drained and paved over. 

pin Mile 695

Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area

This is the second-largest remaining expanse of dry prairie in the U.S. The area is 62,000 acres and is home to a wide variety of Floridian wildlife. Indigenous people would use the area as a hunting and fishing area because its habitat is abundant with wildlife. This area was part of one of the last large open-range ranches in the U.S. until the Florida Legislature passed the Fence Law in 1949. Cattlemen would burn the prairie to kill pine saplings, oak, and palmetto in order for more grazing areas to grow. The area was also utilized for its lumber during the early 20th century. The area was known as the Three Lakes Ranch when it was purchased in 1974 under the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. The three lakes are Lake Kissimmee, Lake Marian, and Lake Jackson.

pin Mile 757

Kissimmee River

The Kissimmee Valley region of Central Florida was inhabited by the Jororo, and the name of this river can be traced back to their language. The word means “long water.” Following the Indian Relocation Act, the Seminole and escaped slaves fled into the Kissimmee River Valley and settled in the swamplands of Central and South Florida because of their tactically defendable positions. The Kissimmee River still forms the north part of the Everglades wetland area and begins at Lake Tohopekaliga, flowing south through Lake Kissimmee into Lake Okeechobee. 

Following the 1947 hurricane season, much of central and southern Florida faced heavy rainfall and flooding. In 1954, the United States Congress authorized the canalization of the Kissimmee river to help prevent future flooding. From 1962 to 1970, the Army Corps of Engineers dredged the C-38 Canal, shortening the river’s 103-mile distance from Lake Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee to 56 miles. This project was devastating to the river, with 40,000 acres of floodplain below Lake Kissimmee drying out and reducing waterfowl habitat quality by 90%. Shortening the river created a faster flow, which led to major environmental problems in the Kissimmee Valley and in Lake Okeechobee. Restoration projects to repair sections of the river began in 1997 and are still underway. 

pin Mile 782

Lake Okeechobee

This is the largest freshwater lake in Florida and the tenth-largest natural freshwater lake in the entire United States. It’s also the second-largest natural freshwater lake contained entirely within the contiguous 48 states. The lake covers 730 square miles and has an average depth of only nine feet. The Calusa are the lake’s earliest inhabitants. They called the lake Mayaimi, meaning “big water.” The name Okeechobee comes from the Hitchiti words oki (water) and chubi (big). The Calusa, who mostly lived in coastal towns and villages, had villages inland. They created canal systems that allowed them to travel between places such as Lake Okeechobee and Charlotte Harbor. This canal system would also allow them to haul seafood and bulk commodities between villages. 

Today, the lake is undergoing environmental restoration, as elevated levels of arsenic and other pesticides have been found in mud removed from the lake floor. The lake has such high toxicity from human pollution that runoff must now be managed and water pumped out in order to avoid large volumes of polluted water releasing from the lake during heavy rains. The lake has also faced fires in dried-out portions of its lake bed, as well as algal blooms. The South Florida Water Management District was granted emergency permission to pump clean water back into the lake in an attempt to save wildlife and vegetation in the lake. 

pin Mile 904

Big Cypress National Preserve

This vast 720,000-acre swamp is crucial to the health of the neighboring Everglades. The freshwaters of the swamp help support marine estuaries along Florida’s southwest coast. The area contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities and is also home to diverse wildlife, including the endangered Florida panther. The archaeological Glades People moved into South Florida in 2500 BCE and would evolve into the Caloosahatchee culture, including the Calusa people. The Calusa were the original inhabitants of the area, as well as the Miccosukee and Seminole in later centuries. 

pin Mile 960

Miccosukee Indian Villages

This is the contemporary home to the Miccosukee, where the tribe showcases tribal arts and culture with crafts, airboat rides, and alligators. The Miccosukee were originally a part of the Creek Nation but migrated to Florida prior to its statehood. After the Indian Removal Act forced many Miccosukee west, about 100 Mikasuki-speaking Creeks moved south into the Everglades. The tribe now has more than 600 members who are direct descendants of those people. In order to gain tribal recognition from the federal government, the tribe traveled to Cuba to ask Fidel Castro to sign an international recognition as a sovereign country within the United States. This led to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior approving the Miccosukee Constitution on January 11, 1962, and officially recognizing the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. At the Miccosukee Indian Village, there is a museum that preserves their history and culture, a gift shop with crafts from Indigenous peoples from around the world, and alligator demonstrations that showcase centuries-old traditions and rituals. 

pin Mile 1042-1150

Florida Keys

The Florida Keys were originally inhabited by the Calusa, Tequesta, and Matecumbe people, and Indigenous people from the Caribbean Islands may have also inhabited the area. The abundance of food and materials for making tools made the keys a great area for people to live. Shellfish was likely a large part of their diet, along with lobster, fish, and turtles, while supplementing with deer and raccoons. Sea grapes and coccolobas were also available to gather. Colonizers moved into the Keys, introducing disease to the Indigenous populations of the islands while also violently suppressing them, and many of the original inhabitants were victims of genocide or integrated with the Seminole who had moved south into Florida in the 18th Century.

WHEN TO GO

• The best time to ride Segment 8 is from December to March.
• That said, there is the threat of dangerous weather in the fall and spring. Hurricane season from August through November may impact travel plans, and it can sometimes cause serious flooding. Frequent afternoon thunderstorms also pose a threat in the spring and summer months.
• The route is rideable nearly all year with the right preparation. The ideal plan is to tackle the Florida portion when it’s cold in the northern parts so the southern regions won’t be as hot. Another favorable part of tackling the route during the colder months is the predominant wind direction will be from the north, which will help you out when you’re in the vast expanse of the River of Grass Corridor.
• Florida can get very hot, even in the fall and shoulder seasons.

LOGISTICS

• The segment starts in Tallahassee, a large city with full services and airport, lodging, and transportation services.
• The segment ends in Key West, which has an airport, lodging, and ferries that can take you to Fort Myers or buses to transport you to Miami.
• If you’re section-riding, there are several big cities you can fly into. Gainesville, Sanford, Orlando, and Miami are all close to the route and offer airports.
• It’s even possible to fly into Tampa and hop the Amtrak to Orlando to jump on the route or pedal into Fort Myers and take the Ferry to the Keys.
• Many local bicycle shops and city halls typically allow long-term parking for section riding; you just have to call and ask.

DANGERS & ANNOYANCES

• Many parts of this route are in black bear country, especially in the more remote sections in national forests. It’s best to get in the habit of tying up your food at night while camping. Find details on the PCT method here.
• It’s also not uncommon to see alligators, coyotes, and wild boars.
• There are rattlesnakes, copperheads, and mocassins in this zone too. Watch where you step and know how to deal with snake bites. Your chances of a dangerous encounter are low, but be aware.
• You cross two locks on this ride. Buckman Lock at the entry of Ocala National Forest is typically attended. There is a code you can use to cross after hours. Make sure the lock is right side up and the numbers 1966 line up correctly with the small hash marks.
• After entering the code, compress the lock and pull it out to open. Make sure to lock both gates and leave them as you found them after crossing. Lock 65a on the other side of Kicco is self-serve and does not require a code.
• Once in Big Cypress, remember that you’re in the panther’s home. Although no conflicts have been reported, it’s important to be aware.
• In this same area, you will encounter and be close to alligators. It is recommended you ride in the middle of the road when there is no traffic, especially on Loop Road and the levees, to avoid coming close to the animals. They like to sun on the shoulders during the day. Be especially cautious anytime you’re approaching an area with tall grass.
• As if that wasn’t enough, once you’re in Big Cypress and beyond, it’s possible to encounter boa constrictors, an invasive species that officials are working hard to eradicate.
• Most of the route is within cell service, although several spots are without. You might consider bringing a satellite tracker or emergency beacon in case of injury or catastrophic failure.
• While much of this route uses gravel and relatively low-traffic roads, a few spots are worthy of extra caution. Namely, on US1 as you approach Key Largo. As with any cycling outing, cars pose a threat. Wear bright colors and bring a rear blinker light.
• Additionally, there is hunting within national and state forests, wildlife management areas, and other public lands. Be sure to research hunting seasons in these areas before setting out. And wear a hi-viz orange vest if riding through any of them during hunting season.

WHAT BIKE?

• The best bike for this segment, as well as the entire Eastern Divide Trail, is an ATB or Tour Divide-style bike. For drop-bar aficionados, the Salsa Fargo and Cutthroat come to mind, or the Surly Ghost Grappler or Tumbleweed Stargazer. For those who prefer flat bars, any moderate hardtail or rigid 29er would be great, such as the Surly Ogre or Bridge Club, Salsa Timberjack, or Otso Fenrir.
• Considering the bullet point above, this segment is particularly variable, with plenty of sandy sections. Tires that are 2.4” or larger are highly recommended for sand roads that can be thick and soft in certain places. We like fast-rolling, ~2.4” XC rubber for this ride. Tires that folks like for the Tour Divide work well. The Maxxis Ikon or Rekon Race, Teravail Ehline, and Vittoria Mezcal are all tires we’ve used while scouting.
• There are several parts of the route that could be done on a gravel bike. Specifically, south of Kissimmee preserve to Key West.
• There are significant bike shops in Tallahassee, High Springs, Gainesville, Sanford, Lake Mary, Heathrow, Oviedo, Orlando, Melbourne, Sebring, Miami, Homestead, and The Keys.

• Segment 8 begins in Tallahassee, which has a robust bikepacking community and a hostel available at the Bicycle House. There are several trail angels in town. You can connect with these folks using the Warmshowers app or by joining the Florida Divide Riders or Tally Tango groups on Facebook.
• There are campgrounds and established campsites within national forest land throughout the route. Many prominent options are noted in the downloadable GPX file, but there are more.
• There are not many places on the route that don’t offer camping opportunities. With proper planning, you could do the entire route and stay outside. The challenging spots are south of Clewiston and in the Keys.
• If wild camping is a must, we recommend setting up after dusk and leaving at dawn. There are remote stretches of forest and options to camp out of sight within wooded areas. Churches, parks, and other public places are usually safe options, too, but use your judgment, and as always, leave no trace.
• There are hotels/motels/lodging in many of the major towns and cities. If you cannot locate an on-route option, off-route options are always available.
• White Springs has a bed and breakfast that is especially kind and generous to hikers and bikers. A stay at this spot is highly recommended. When you call for a reservation, just mention that you are riding your bicycle to the Keys to get the special rate.
• Segment 8 finishes at Key West, which is a huge tourist attraction. There are plenty of lodging options there. Camping is tough in the Keys. Other riders have succeeded with local businesses, churches, and fire stations that, when asked, have let folks camp.
• Study the Florida no-turn-away policy for added success on your journey.

• Surface water, creeks, and rivers to filter water from are abundant throughout the route.
• From south of Clewiston until you reach Big Cypress, filtering is not recommended due to possible pesticide contamination.
• You may also come across pitcher pumps in several areas. You will see a gallon of water right next to it. Use this water to pour into the top of the pump to prime it so you can dispense more water. In most cases, it’s still a good idea to clean this water after dispensing and always refill the priming gallon when done.
• Churches are a good source of drinking water as there are usually spigots available. If there is someone on-site, make sure to ask permission first.
• There are a fair number of resupply options on this route, as noted in the POIs of the downloadable GPX file. Florida bikepacking is rather stress-free and straightforward for resupply. There is almost always something in every town or city, either on or off the route. Plenty of cell coverage to search out spots.
• All the big cities on the route will provide almost all you need for travel, including food, restaurants, and bicycle shops. Most of the big towns will also have everything noted except bicycle shops. Make it a point to study the sections as you tackle them and know your resupply spots. Ensure you carry more water than you normally would as you get further south. Headwinds can enormously impact your forward progress and may double the expected travel time.
• Take special note of the slightly longer distance between restocks before leaving the towns of White Springs, Hawthorne, Christmas, Kenansville, Clewiston, and Sunniland.

Here is an example itinerary based on 50-75 mile days. This is a solid baseline that a fit and experienced thru-rider carrying a medium-light load might consider as a relatively challenging bikepacking itinerary. Less fit or experienced riders should factor in a longer schedule.

location Tallahassee to Sopchoppy

Day 1 (78 miles +1086)

You’ll be very happy if you like singletrack, because you’ll spend a huge chunk of your 78-mile day riding various trails. You start your ride on some local hometown chunk and then transition and drop into the Fern Trail, a beautiful little path along a canal. You weave in and out riding this course, which gets progressively more technical before crossing a road and entering Tom Brown at Weems Road. From there, you start to gain some elevation and get to play on some super fun clay-based tracks. Up and down, you go on the beautiful twisty path until you merge with a less technical trail and then make your way back to roads and bike paths until you reach Twilight and Munson, more pristine clay singletrack.

You end your odyssey with a traverse on the Forest Loop, a more rudimentary but fun area. From there, the ride flattens out, and you take a mix of sandier forest roads and hardpack gravel across the Apalachicola National Forest, eventually rejoining pavement and ending your day in Sopchoppy. If you like beer, check out Civic Brewing. There is a nice little city campground about a mile south of town that will make for good camping along the river.

location Sopchoppy to Aucilla Camp

Day 2 (63 miles +184ft)

Leaving Sopchoppy, the route starts with a mix of pavement and bike paths, but that doesn’t last long. You soon start your traverse over to Saint Marks. You will ride numerous sand roads and grassy tracks from here that eventually give way to hardpack and more gravel roads. A little bike path and road riding will drop you into Saint Marks, where the course is made up of grassy levees and spillways until you exit the park on primitive and potentially muddy roads. You rejoin the road at this point for a short stretch and a critical restock at JR’s Aucilla Store.

Leaving JR’s, you ride a mix of pavement and hardpack limestone road until the road narrows to a rough track at the entrance of Aucilla Sinks. This geologically wondrous place allows you to observe the river as it sinks and rises from underneath the earth. As you pedal along, you can see huge vast chasms in the limestone and the river underneath. Keep an eye out on your left for the little sign indicating the camp’s location and the end of your day. There is a bigger campground at the end of Goose Pasture Road if you prefer to save energy and complete the push across Aucilla Sinks Trail the next day.

location Aucilla Camp to Madison

Day 3 (48 miles +485ft)

Your time on the Aucilla Sinks Trail continues. Beautifully primitive, this trail is such a treat, and if you keep your ears open, you have a chance to take a swim and see one of the few rapids that exist in the state. Once you exit the trail, you start on two-track and quickly join a hardpack gravel road. From here to Madison, you will ride a mix of back roads, good dirt roads, and even a little bit of the Old Bellamy Highway before arriving in town. Once there, you have options for camping, hotels, restaurants, and convenience stores.

location Madison to Holton Creek

Day 4 (40 miles +574ft)

Stock up well on your departure from Madison. After a short stretch of tarmac, you will travel on rural dirt roads with huge views. Once you get closer to Twin Rivers Forest, you may hit a stretch or two of softer sand, but this is all generally good rolling terrain. After you rejoin pavement and before you start the Big Oak Trail, you have a chance to take a little side trip into Ellaville via the old Hillman Bridge. Most of your day will be spent riding along the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers.

Aside from the beautiful twisty trail, one of this section’s many highlights is a chance to see an enormous old oak tree. Eventually, the trail ends, and you ride on good dirt roads with a little pavement before going into Holton Creek WMA. Once in the WMA, it’s mostly hardpack limestone roads under beautiful dense foliage before reaching the river camp. If you’re fortunate, you will get a chance to spend the night in one of several elevated shelters they provide at no charge. They have hot showers here, and every den has electricity, lights, and fans. Primitive camping is also available, but the real draw is the beautiful screened-in oasis.

location Holton Creek to Ocean pond

Day 5 (64 miles +525ft)

Your exit from Holton involves more primitive pathways that connect and intertwine to lead you out of the park and onto neighboring roads. From there, you will ride some sandier rural dirt roads and pavement until you drop into the backside of Stephen Foster State Park and its extensive singletrack system. Once on these trails, you will ride good, fun, twisty rooty singletrack into the center of town and then a few more tracks on your way out before the pavement stretch that connects you to Osceola National Forest. Most roads that take you to Ocean Pond are hardpacked and fast. On some narrower roads, you may encounter the occasional puddle if conditions have been wet. Ocean Pond has a big campground with electricity, hot showers, and even credit card-powered washers and dryers.

location Ocean Pond to Alachua/High Springs

Day 6 (58miles +731ft)

After a good rest at Ocean Pond, you will spend most of your time from here to the other side of Gainesville riding good rural dirt roads with the occasional stretch of pavement. No real surprises, just lots of good riding through scenic rural north Florida. At the end of the segment, you could go off route to High Springs or Alachua for camping, good food, or indoor lodging.

location Alachua/High Springs to Hawthorne

Day 7 (75 miles +668ft)

Departing from your previous night’s stay, you have more of the same beautiful, scenic oak-canopied dirt roads. Gainesville is just off route if you are craving a rest day or need some bicycle repair. There are lots of food options—too many to highlight. If you were missing the singletrack from the previous days, you will be happy as you drop into Sweet Water Preserve and ride some twisty trails to connect to the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail. This path borders Paynes Prairie on the northern end, and there are several overlooks you can take for an off-route viewing. This park is famous for its resident wild horses and bison. You ride on this undulating path before deeply exploring the unique service roads inside Longleaf and Grove Park.

More rudimentary and not as wide as the roads you have ridden, you may encounter the occasional stretch of soft sand. You rejoin the bike path just before you reach the town of Hawthorne. Camping options are limited in town. If you prefer to camp, take a shorter day and end in Longleaf (which has one campsite). You could also push into Ocala National Forest and camp at Rodman Dam.

location Hawthorne to 88 Store

Day 8 (51 miles +538ft)

Leaving Hawthorne, your ride starts on pavement and quickly gives way to rolling dirt roads that, when dry, can be soft. From Hunter Road, you enter even more rudimentary roads and some grassy tracks. This area can flood occasionally, but rarely is the water too deep to cross. You traverse a small bridge, eventually exiting this rather slow grassy segment, and cross into the Barge Canal Recreational Area. Here is a good chance for a break and to get water if you need it. If the attendant is available, he will help you cross the lock. If not, check for the code under the Dangers & Annoyances tab.

Once across, you travel on a raised grassy levee for several miles parallel to the barge canal. There is a huge campground with water and electricity on the route. This would be a good place to stop if you need a shower. If not, keep pushing on across Rodman Dam and down good clay roads until you reach the 88 Store. It’s a great little place for cheap beer, but resupply is limited. They will allow camping behind their store and have water and a laundry room.

location 88 store to Seminole Forest

Day 9 (75 miles +1266ft)

The rest of your trip across the Ocala National Forest will feature the most elevation change you have experienced so far. Big views and long rolling hills will be a nice change of pace. There are several unique springs in the forest and many opportunities for fun side trips. Stock up well on water before you depart, as the conditions on the forest roads are bright and exposed. There is a good store in Shockley Heights, and then you’re treated to the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail and the rolling sand scrub singletrack.

At the end of the trail, you have a chance to shorten your day by staying at the Clearwater Lake campground. There is also good pizza and typical restock options in the town of Paisley. South of Paisley, you traverse Maggie Jones, a road that can be sandy at times but generally is fairly fast rolling. From there, it’s more dirt and rolling hilly pavement with the occasional deep sandy spots until you reach the interior of Seminole Forest. There’s a lot of camping options in this area and two sheltered sites. Study the map and choose a camp that suits your need. Stock up on water before leaving Paisley or plan to go off route in Pine Lakes, as most camps are dry.

location Seminole Forest to Tiger Branch Camp

Day 10 (63 miles +450ft)

Seminole Forest is a special place. It’s part of the Wekiva River Basin, and there are at least 20 springs littered all over the property. The roads are hardpack and fun to ride. Upon your exit, you have the option for an off-route foray to Wekiva Falls, another spring-fed magical place with food, camping, and lodging. Beyond that, a big chunk of your day will be spent on a bike path. The route starts with the Seminole Wekiva Trail and, after crossing over Interstate 4, joins the Cross Seminole Trail. If you need anything, this is the time. You’ll find good food and lodging all along the route.

The route also passes by Big Tree Park, home of Lady Liberty, one of the oldest cypress trees in the state. When you reach the outskirts of Ovideo and the Little Econ, your journey becomes more primitive as you navigate a combination of forest roads and horse trails. You take a small pavement break and then continue on to more of the same.

Before entering Seminole Ranch, you may encounter huge puddles or standing water. In the ranch, you’re greeted by high levee trails before following a bit of rudimentary singletrack and then crossing State Road 50. Plan an off-route trip to the store in Christmas as it will be a long trip until the next on-route store at Kenansville. Tossohatchee has really good firm gravel roads for you to enjoy. There are several camps in this area, so pick one that suits your needs and enjoy.

location Tiger Branch Camp to Three Forks Shelter

Day 11 (58 miles +57ft)

Leaving Tiger Branch, the hardpack road gives way to an area of the trail that is generally flooded. After exiting Tossohatchee, you’re on paved roads for a long time, probably the longest bit of your trip. Eventually, you reach the turn-off to Three Forks and begin your intense gravel levee journey south. If you need a room, bike repair, or hotel stay, continue on the paved road and head east into Melbourne. In Three Forks, you will find good roads with little to no surprises. Toward the end of the day, remember not to miss the turn-off to the shelter for your night’s stay.

location Three Forks Shelter to Kissimmee Preserve campground

Day 12 (75 miles +185ft)

Your day starts with more levee riding as you make your way out of Three Forks. Eventually, you join Fellsmere Grade, which starts as a levee road and eventually turns into a good dirt road. The store at Kenansville is a key restock and helps you avoid shopping at River Ranch, a really interesting place with disproportionally high prices. Lots of hardpack roads lead you on your way to your short road ride into River Ranch. The roads in Kicco are also well kept and fast. Expect to see cattle.

There are a couple of campsites in Kicco if you want to shorten your day. Once across Lock 65a, the ride will slow down quite a bit as the roads are composed entirely of grassy two-track. For the most part, your trip into Kissimmee Preserve State Park will be like this, but there is a great campground at the end, and if your timing is right, this is one of a few spots in Florida that rates as Dark Sky Park and allows you to view the Milky Way.

In the event of persistent rain, the path leading to KPC can flood and at times be dangerous to traverse. If you are curious about conditions, call the state park (863-462-5360) and ask them if the trail to lock 65a is flooded. If they say yes, we recommend using this high-water alternate.

location Kissimmee Preserve Campground to Indian Prairie Canal Camp

Day 13 (54 miles +36ft)

Unlike the path to get to KPC, the exiting route is hardpacked, fast dirt. You then ride on paved roads before rejoining levee roads on your approach to Lake Okeechobee. Once here, you will continue along the paved bike path and primitive levee road till you reach your planned stop for the night. This day was intentionally cut short to account for the added sun exposure and potential wind that can make things challenging. There are spots off route to stay inside if you desire.

location Indian Prairie Canal Camp to Clewiston

Day 14 (41 miles +28ft)

From the Indian Prairie site to Clewiston, it’s a mix of older levees, bike paths, and pavement until you reach Clewiston. Typically, most folks who tackle the Florida Divide stop at Clewiston. Here they rest up and restock for the hot, exposed, dry push across the Devils Garden.

location Clewiston to Everglades Farms

Day 15 (68 miles +28ft)

Stock up with extra water for your long sunny day. Expect winds to be the major hurdle to your forward progress. Most of the day is spent on hardpacked levees, but there may be some grassy connectors in between. Once you finish the levees, you are on rural paved roads for a long while. Outside the Devil’s Garden, the Azteca store is a famous stop for riders due to the authentic Mexican food. This segment ends at Everglades Farms. We stayed there recently and found the accommodations to be quite surprising. If you don’t want to stay here, push 20 more miles into Big Cypress, where they have several campsites available as soon as you enter. Make sure to stock up your food bags when leaving the Sunniland store, as there are no on-route food sources until you reach the other side of the Miccosukee Reservation.

location Sunniland/Hip Camp to Mitchell Landing Campground

Day 16 (65 miles +6ft)

After your Sunniland restock, you begin a long stretch without supplies. Most of the day is spent on limestone-based gravel roads, but there is a long stretch of pavement from Turner River Road to Loop. Here, there are unobstructed views and bountiful plant and animal diversity. The clear, crisp water you see when crossing the canals on Loop Road can be filtered. Just watch out for alligators, as the area is infested with them. Mitchell Landing is a primitive campground. If you prefer a camp with resources, take a shorter day and stay at Monument Lake.

location Mitchell Landing Campground to Everglades Trail Wild Camp

Day 17 (70 miles +15ft)

Your day starts on pavement, but once you get to the Valu Jet Memorial, you spend the rest of it on gravel levees. The Miccosukee Reservation is an interesting little area. You get an opportunity to view their traditional home construction style. You pass right through the middle of the reservation on the Tamiami. This is your chance for some on-route food and resupply. Beyond that, it’s just more levee roads as you travel south along the Everglades Trail. If you want to camp, pick a spot and set up before reaching the end of the levee south of Ingraham Highway. If you still feel like more miles, push on to Key Largo for a room or a high-dollar campsite.

location Everglades Trail Wild camp to Curry Hammock State Park

Day 18 (63 miles +102ft)

The road is very busy, but thankfully it is not long before you reach the Keys and start your journey on the bike path. Most of your ride will be on a bike path that weaves in and out and crosses the road here and there.

Resupply is a non-issue throughout. You can rush your experience in the Keys or just bask in the tropical climate and aqua-green waters.

location Curry Hammock State Park to Key West

Day 19 (55 miles +149ft)

Your last day will start with more of the same until you reach Big Pine Key, where you go off the beaten path to ride a little bit of dirt with hopes of seeing a Key Deer. Once you reach the keys, watch for cars and the tourist traffic as you make your way to the southernmost point, Buoy, for that official finish picture! Bask in the glow of finishing the longest bikepacking route in the United States. You’re in luck, as you will have plenty of places to celebrate!

Ancestral Homelands

• Tallahassee, FL – Mvskoke (Muscogee), Apalachees
• White Springs, FL – Timucua, Mvskoke, Miccosukee
• Olustee, FL – Timucua, Miccosukee
• Lake Butler, FL – Seminole, Timucua, Miccosukee, Mascogo
• Palm Bay, FL – Seminole, Ais, Miccosukee, Mascogo
• Okeechobee, FL – Calusa, Seminole, Mayaimi, Miccosukee, Mascogo
• Hialeah, FL – Seminole, Taino, Tequesta, Miccosukee, Mascogo
• Key Largo, FL – Seminole, Taino, Matecumbe, Mascogo
• Big Pine Key, FL – Calusa, Seminole, Taino, Mascogo